Pressing Tobacco Issues

[mortonbriar]

I am off to the workshop tonight to make a little tobacco press, and I was trying to remember all the bits of advice I had picked up here over the last few years concerning pressing tobacco, anyway I thought I would list a few relevant threads here for my own reference, and anyone else who is interested.

caulking gun press

further impressions

impressive

hot off the press
Will put up some photos and results at a later date.
Isaac

 

[weezell]

Give it hell Brother!!...

 

[mso489]

That is a step into an advanced level, actual blending. I think of what I do -- no heat, no pressure, no program of aging -- as mixing. When you get beyond that, you are actually doing the work of the blender. Keep us posted on how it goes. The old cliche, the devil is in the details, applies, I think. It's the fine points that make a great blend or just doesn't quite do it.

 

[mortonbriar]

Well I got as far as drawing up a little cut list and dressing a bunch of oak, its a start. ::

 

[mawnansmiff]

Just make sure your former is built sufficiently well so as it doesn't burst when great pressure is applied. That said, if you are using a caulking gun the pressure you are able to apply won't be huge. I use a very well built rock splitter (with the cutting chisels removed) and that exerts enormous pressure.
I hope we get to see some pics Isaac ::
Regards,
Jay.

 

[mortonbriar]

Well I finally got around to building a press, it ended up far simpler and utilitarian than I had schemed, but at least I actually got round to making it.

I put together some favourites and let them sit for three days, turning the handle a little more each night. When I popped it out of the former the two little oak end pieces were firmly attached to the cake, I will use parchment paper next time, although it came off easily enough with a knife slid in between. The wood is all lovely and oiled now too.

Here is the cake with a pipe for size reference, reviews on the smoke after it happens!

 

[cosmicbobo]

Letting mine sit for another few days, making it 2 weeks. I am using 2 hockey pucks, a C Clamp, Wax Paper, and a baccy tin

 

[mortonbriar]

Sounds good! I am not sure about the timing, so looking forward to future pressings for comparison...

Let us know what yours turned out like too cosmicbobo

 

[cosmicbobo]

yours looks perfect btw

 

[hawky454]

Looks amazing! Thanks for sharing.

 

[drwatson]

That is really nice, where did you get the crank?

 

[sablebrush52]

You forgot the elephant that sits on top.

 

[mortonbriar]

That is no white elephant, it is a veneer press I got from amazon (I think?) and it was $15ish. It seems to do the trick!

 

[drwatson]

I like it I will have to look it up, thanks!

 

[cosmicbobo]

My pics came out blurry, looking like a Tobacco Burger. Also, a little too moist. I made a mistake in layering, so it split the long way.
However, I wanted to make a sort of Christmas Blend and darned if this doesn't smell like a nice spiced cake. Just hope it dries out by Christmas time.
Actually put allspice, raisins, and Deer Tongue in it.
The method (Hockey Pucks) is sound. It flattened that sucker out quite well.
Drawing board awaits.

 

[deathmetal]

"Tobacco Burger" is an idea that needs exploration.
Looks like a great blending experiment. Whatever works...

 

[baccyfart]

harbor freight sells a 3-ton hydraulic press. i built a box out of white oak similar to yours and put up some pics here on the forum a couple summers ago. excellent results. i prefer to press in my hot shed. just leave it in there a few weeks. as far as blending- - a basic one that i like really well (i mean a lot!) is 40% virginia red, 40% virginia bright, and 20% of louisiana perique. you could substitute latakia for the perique or go 10% perique and 10% latakia. experiment in small batches until you find something agreeable and delicious. i'll see if i can rustle up the link on the post from a couple years ago and either edit this post or post it for you below. good luck!

 

[baccyfart]

here is the thread: http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/vaper-delicious Click Here

 

[mawnansmiff]

I like your press Baccy. I use a rock splitter (with the chisels removed) for my press. The last one I made was a Virginia, Burley and Perique mix which I pressed for a fortnight.
I wish I had left it longer and I also regret breaking up the plug after it came out (really sticky...no additional liquid used) but the results were good.
Next time I will use a little less Perique and leave it in the press for at least a month.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[paddypiper]

Looks like it came out good. How does it smoke?